Swipe Out Hunger Announces Microgrants to 17 Campus Pantries

February 3, 2022 – The leading national nonprofit working to end college student food insecurity, Swipe Out Hunger announced today that $3,000 microgrants will be distributed to 17 colleges to support their campus food pantries.

This is the first cycle of Swipe Out Hunger’s inaugural campus pantry microgrant fund, which started as part of the organization acquiring the College and University Food Bank Alliance in October 2021. Seventeen partnering campus pantries were selected by lottery to receive funds to be used for their campus pantries.

“Beyond best practices and a community of support, campus pantries made clear to us that increased funding was the most impactful way they could better support students’ basic needs,” said Rachel Sumekh, Founder and CEO of Swipe Out Hunger. “We are thrilled to help colleges across the U.S. strengthen their pantries, and we’re even more excited to learn how, with some additional support, campus pantries can better meet students’ needs.”

Schools will use funding to source food from their local food bank, purchase cold storage for perishable and fresh items, buy state-of-the-art software and technology to optimize operations, and distribute stipends to the students and volunteers who are helping to make a difference on campus. 

“Moravian University’s Mo’s Cupboard is thrilled to receive this grant funding in its third year of operation,” said Greg Meyer, Associate Dean of Students at Moravian University. “As demand for our services continues to grow, these funds will help us streamline our operations through the purchase of a chest freezer and inventory software as well as through direct spending on student basic needs.”

“The Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry team is honored to receive a Swipe Out Hunger microgrant,” said Roselind Brown, Assistant Director for Care at University of Florida. “As we seek to build a more food secure campus, we recognize the importance of technology to enhance our operations and support of students. This grant will have a long-term impact on our ability to expand our reach and support more students on our campus.”

The full list of the Spring 2022 microgrant recipients include:
– Davenport University’s Panther Resource Closet
– Georgia College & State University’s Campus Corner
– Colorado Mesa University’s The Pantry
– Utah Valley University’s Food Pantry
– University of Florida’s Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry
– Eastern Washington University’s Food Pantry
– Roane State Community College’s Food Pantries
– Ohio University’s The Cats’ Cupboard Food Pantry
– Missouri Western State University’s Campus Cupboard
– University of Maine’s Black Bear Exchange
– Central Lakes College’s Food Pantry
– Kingsborough Community College’s Food for Thought
– Morgan State University’s Food Resource Center
– Bowling Green State University’s Falcon Food Pantry
– Canisius College’s Petey’s Pantry
– Moravian University’s Mo’s Cupboard
– Los Angeles Trade Tech’s Food Pantry

These grants and our greater pantry work are made possible thanks to the support of ECMC Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Robert and Lisa Margolis Family Foundation, Zale Foundation, and community members who believe no student should have to choose between food and their education.

Following the end of the grant period in August 2022, Swipe Out Hunger will begin its Fall microgrant cycle. To stay informed about the Fall 2022 session microgrant timeline, sign up for Swipe Out Hunger’s newsletter here.  

About Swipe Out Hunger
Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger. It works with colleges and universities to design and implement a range of anti-hunger programs, including “The Swipe Drive” which enables students to donate meals to their peers facing food insecurity on campus. Swipe Out Hunger promotes on-campus solutions, policy and advocacy, and student empowerment practices to address college food insecurity. Recognized for its entrepreneurial nature, Swipe Out Hunger has been named an Obama White House Champion For Change and its founder, Rachel Sumekh, has landed a spot on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list. From its beginnings as a grassroots movement at UCLA in 2010, Swipe Out Hunger has since served 2.5 million nourishing meals across all 50 states and more than 400 campuses. For more information, visit swipehunger.org.

Media Contact:
Tenille Metti Bowling
Vice President of Communications
Swipe Out Hunger
[email protected]